BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

JUNE 22, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.  

Today we are going to tackle what everyone has in their stash, and probably moRe than you want to admit to…. 5 INCH SQUARES.  Isn’t it amazing how quickly they multiply.  Seriously, you just cut a few and then before you know it, you have more than you can use!  

Our first pattern is from My Sewing Room and uses 5 inch squares and 1 inch strips!  Sew easy to make!

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy73Z3N4RF8&t=615s

Or would you rather Have Fun With 5 inch Novelty Squares from the Gourmet Quilter!

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUK5kcspMgY

Or maybe learn how to Simply Sash 5 inch squares.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sa-HeY4dNg&t=33s

Have fun and I will see you again next week!

Just click on the links above.

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

JUNE 15, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.  

Today let’s focus on those larger odd shaped pieces.  I know that there are some who love to do applique and paper-piecing, sew maybe we can find a few patterns to bust those pieces.

Our first one is from Karen Brown of Just Get it Done quilts.  This is a tutorial on how to use scraps and raw edge applique.

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx57U3srrP8

Our next one is an oldie from Sewing With Nancy, Appliques, Large and Small Part 1.  

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4TmUqoPbs8

Our final one is from Tanja Sarangdhar and is how to do Curved English PP with scraps.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE4KrbEtduQ

Have fun sewing and I will see you next week.

Just click on the links above.

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

JUNE 10, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times! Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.

Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Summer Time Fun! Using those pesky, I mean lovely scraps that we all have.

Our first one is made out of strings in different color ways and is from The Sewing Channel. I love her blocks from just using those scraps!

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkp8LCEjeRI

Or you can make Crazy Little String Blocks that when you put 4 of them together it forms a star. This is from YouTube.com.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKndRdgfdyA

Or if you are like me, I have a lot of strips, yes I love jelly rolls, you can do these 3 top Quilt Blocks to make from Strip Sets! This is from True Blue Quilts.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX9yt0QnuPg

Have fun and I will see you next week!

Just click the links above to see the videos.

STRING BLOCK SWAP 2023

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP:  July 1, 2023

SWAP STARTS:  July 15, 2023

SWAP ENDS:  September 30, 2023

Imagine a conversation with yourself that goes something like this:

Strings, strings, and more strings!  All over the place!  What to do with all those strings?

Maybe sew another quilt? 


Hide them in the closet and hope that to forget them, and pray that they don’t multiply?  Heaven forbid!

Give them to someone else as a gift?

Or how about…  String blocks! 

Say what?  Sew them into string blocks and then swap them with other quilters!

What a wonderful idea!

SIZES: Blocks must measure 12” square.  You may use any PAPER FOUNDATION if you desire – children’s drawing tablet, copy paper, tissue paper, paper made for paper piecing or foundations, or old phone book pages. Make sure to reduce your stitch length so that seams don’t pop open or break when papers are ultimately removed.

Strings should be no wider than 3.5” and each block should contain a variety of sizes (widths) and a good number of strips. Remember these should be scrappy and happy!

FABRICS: No more than 5 blocks exactly alike! Scrappy!  We will decide on how many blocks to make when sign-ups close on July 15, 2023 and we will have a list then.

LEAVE PAPERS IN.  DO NOT REMOVER PAPERS!!!!  With so many different fabrics and biased edges, leaving paper in provides one more layer of stability for the block until it is attached to something else. Make sure to include your name on each block on the back. You may use address labels, or just write it on the paper.

You must contact Donna Coppin at thepinkquilter@gmail.com with String Blocks 2023 in the subject line, with your address.     

What is a string block? It is a simple PP block that uses up a lot of scraps.

Here a tutorial to get started:

Please read Swap Guidelines before signing up for more details on swapping.

Thank you for playing along!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

JUNE 1, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Let’s tackle what to do with leftover strips after you have trimmed your quilt, especially those big chunks or strips, or even those leftover pieces from a quilt. Remember if it goes back into  your stash you will need to deal with it someday.  Sew, let’s look at some ideas on how to use it up!

Our first one is from Karen Brown of Just Get It Done Quilts and she is going to show us what to do with leftovers from a quilt.  She then uses the leftovers to make the back for that quilt. 

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8bXDT2BJKg

Our second one is from Scrappy Strips Tutorial and shows how to use chunky pieces.  

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0mC9nX1p_g

Our final one is on how to control your scraps from Laura of SewVeryEasy.

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIRVxvzo91g

Have fun sewing and I will see you next week! 

Just click the links above to play the video.

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

MAY 27, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

I have 3 or 4 bins that are full of scraps, some fairly good sized, others that are mostly strips, and then there are those little pieces, crumbs.  Some may be as small as 1 inch squared.  We’ve been talking a lot about those crumbs, so how about a few more ideas on how to use them up.  Not necessarily as blocks but in applique or decorative pieces. Join me for a stroll down Crumb Lane!

Our first one is just a short one on how to do a diagonal strip on a crumb block.

1.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SUT26KcZ0Zs

The second one is making a scrappy crumb Star!  It is so pretty and fun!  This is an example of really putting those crumbs to work!

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1NQ9kuo2W8&t=252s

Our final one is from Pat Sloan and is called Do you want to know how to make the Easiest Quilt Crumb blocks?  Of course, we do!  Sew, let’s watch:

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EVAKvlhtBs

Have fun sewing and I will see you next week!

Please click the links above to watch the videos!

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON? (WAYWO)

I have 4, at least, projects all set up on my table, embroidery machine set up and quilting My Town.  Yes, I’m still working on it, but it is my refuge when I just want to relax as playing with applique iron ons is just plain FUN!  

My little Janome is set up to sew on borders for a Round Robin top to go in the mail next week, hopefully.  I’m having trouble deciding what borders and fabric I want to use, very indecisive!

I also have my Bird In A Nest (stay at home round robin) that I am hostessing, set out and deciding fabrics what I want to use as the first border.  Two 1 yard quilts and material in bags that I need to work on for the guild.  And finish making 6 blocks for Secret Sister for the year.  And that is all I will admit to at the moment, though there are probably a couple of others sitting there.

I have been trying to sew a little each day, but I am feeling a little overwhelmed.  Not from the projects, but the hot early weather, and my legs and right hip have been bothering me somewhat, again the weather.  

I have my massage this morning, maybe that will invigorate me and make me want to get in there and finish something!

PISMO BEACH 2023

These are just some pictures from April 20 to April 25, when Candis, myself, and the Pok Pak went to Pismo for a few days of sun and fun. We had a wonderful time playing games, walking down to the beach, eating and just catching up with each other.

These last few pictures are inspiration for ideas that I saw while we went on long walks on the beach. Of, and of course what I bought.

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY

MAY 18, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

I have 3 or 4 bins that are full of scraps, some fairly good sized, others that are mostly strips, and then there are those little pieces, crumbs.  Some may be as small as 1 inch squared.  We’ve been talking a lot about those crumbs, so how about a few more ideas on how to use them up.  Not necessarily as blocks but in applique or decorative pieces.

I never thought of this!  Sewing your crumbs into one large piece and then cutting it down into pieces that create pretty flowers!  This is from Mom and Pop Quilt Shop and it is called Crumb and Scrap Art Applique!  I think I might just use her ideas!

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S905K61JaG8

Or you can just power through it and sew all your scraps together. This is from Sunbeam Fabric Arts and is called Crumbs!  She plans to make little zipper bags from the pieces she sewed together.

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWnPa4vLgfQ

Our final one is from Chatterbox Quilts and she will show you how to make Appliques from Crumb Quilting Fabric and how to enhance your quilts.  

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD68NAQXu7s

Have fun sewing and I will see you  next week with more squirrels. I mean patterns!

Just click the links above to see the videos!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

May 13, 2023

I missed Thursday again!  Ooops!

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your bins muffin topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!

Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Sometimes, our borders need a little POP!  Today let’s continue our stroll down Border Lane, but be forewarned there might be detours along the way.  

Our first one is how to do applique on your borders.  This is from The Quilt Show, Julie’s Tips, Tricks and Techniques. 

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXzmU1IVgA

Or, how do a vine applique border.  This is from My Sewing Room.  I’ve always wanted to learn how to do this, and it looks like fun! 

2.  youtube.com/watch?v=OgsRld2YEBA

Or how to applique after the quilt is already quilted?  Say what?  You can actually do that?  Of course.  Here is the tutorial from The Gourmet Quilter.  

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkwkcpJ-tN4

Happy sewing and I will see you next week!

Oh, just click on the links above to see the videos.